News Update

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials will not
appeal federal-court rulings that prohibited implementation of
regulations that would have required federally funded health clinics to
notify the parents of minors who request prescription birth
control.

The department had until Dec. 5 to file an appeal with the U.S.
Supreme Court, but did not do so.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the U.S. Court
of Appeals of the District of Columbia ruled against hhs this year.

The controversial regulations, frequently referred to as the "squeal
rule," would have required some 5,000 family-planning clinics to notify
parents within 10 days when a girl under 18 received prescription
contraceptives, such as a diaphragm, pills, or an intrauterine
device.

A former Seattle School District football player paralyzed in a 1975
accident has settled a lawsuit with the district's insurance carrier
for $3.8 million.

Chris Thompson, who became a quadriplegic when he lowered his head
while being tackled in a football game, contended the district was
negligent because it failed to warn him of the danger of such a
move.

Mr. Thompson was awarded $6.4 million by a King County Superior
Court jury last year. The district's insurance carrier, The Insurance
Company of Pennsylvania, appealed the award. Arguments were scheduled
this month before the Washington Supreme Court.

The size of the award raised concerns in school districts across the
nation, prompting many to endorse a new insurance plan to free them
from catastrophic-injury liability.

Under the settlement, Mr. Thompson will receive about $1 million in
cash and $175,000 annually for the rest of his life from an annuity
fund. Thompson's attorneys will receive about $1.5 million.

Ground Rules for Posting
We encourage lively debate, but please be respectful of others. Profanity and personal attacks are prohibited. By commenting, you are agreeing to abide by our user agreement.
All comments are public.